A group of pro-choice activists is using imagery from the dystopian novel The Handmaid's Tale to protest potential laws in Texas that would restrict women's access to abortions.

On Monday, protesters arrived at the State senate while discussion was being held about SB 25, a bill intending to eliminate wrongful birth suits.

The women wore red habits and white bonnets, the very individuality-masking outfits worn by the handmaids in Margarat Atwood's 1985 book.

Standing up: On Monday, a group of pro-choice activists wore costumes from The Handmaid's Tale and visited the Texas State Senate

Won't be oppressed: The women were protesting abortion restrictions currently being considered in the state, as well as some that have passed (picture on signs)

Reference: Their symbolic costumes referenced the enslaved women of Margaret Atwood's 1985 book, who have no say over their bodies or reproductive rights

To many women who have read The Handmaid's Tale, current events have made the fictional dystopian society of Gilead seem closer to reality than ever before.

The book takes place in New England, during a future in which a totalitarian religious government holds military rule and subjugates women to serve the military leaders.

The lead character, Offred, is so named because she belongs to a commander named Fred. Like many older couples of the ruling class, the Commander and his wife cannot have children, and it is Offred's duty to submit to him sexually once a month in order to bear his offspring.

Women in the fictional country of Gilead have no rights — and particularly have no ownership of their bodies or wombs, which are there to serve men in power.

SB 25 in Texas has hit particularly close to home for some of the state's female residents, who see parallels between the future it may lead to and Atwood's book.

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Coming soon: In April, Hulu is releasing a new adaption of the book starring Elisabeth Moss

Next, to the House: That day, the state Senate passed a bill banning dilation and evacuation abortions, a common method used during the second trimester

No repercussions: They were also considering a bill that would allow doctors to lie to expectant moms about possible defects of the fetus

The bill would allow doctors who notice fetal anomalies or defects during an ultrasound to withhold that information from the mother, particularly if the doctor believes the mother might get an abortion.

If it is passed, mothers could not sue the doctors later for not telling them about the defects.

The Texas State Senate also voted to pass SB 415, which would ban dilation and evacuation abortions — a common method used during the second trimester.

The peaceful protesters who turned up on Monday made the greatest statement with their symbolic attire — however, while in the building, they also held up signs listing the obstacles women have to face to get abortions in Texas.

The signs called out mandatory 24-hour waiting periods, forced sonograms, parental notice and consent for minors.

Familiar: The latest protest in favor of reproductive rights is not the first to reference The Handmaid's Tale

No trouble: Armed officers stood around the women, though they sat peacefully

Texas also requires women to undergo state-directed counseling designs to dissuade women from getting abortions, and state money is given to crisis pregnancy centers, which often spread false information to dissuade women from getting abortions.

Though the women sat peacefully and quietly in the state house during the proceedings, armed officers were stationed around them.

These protesters are certainly not the first to draw comparisons between Gilead and current society. Earlier this month, Atwood herself participated in a Q&A on Reddit, where she seemed in agreement with questioners that the country was moving in a scary direction.

Atwood said she was inspired to write the book after reading similar novels, like George Orwell's 1984 and Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451. She also wanted to depict 'what some people [at the time] said they would do re: women if they had the power'.

Lots of rules: The women also used signs outside to call out past restrictions passed in Texas

Unfortunately, Atwood claimed, 'they have it [power] now' and 'they are [doing those things]'.

Although she did not directly say so, it is likely Atwood was referencing Republican threats to de-fund Planned Parenthood because it uses non-federal money to carry out abortions, as well as criticisms of the impact of the President's plans to repeal and replace Obamacare, and the notorious 'pussygate tape' which saw him making lewd comments about women.

However, when asked directly how it feels 'knowing America is basically on the road to becoming Gilead', she didn't parse words.

'I cannot tell you how strange this feels,' she said. 'I wrote the book hoping to fend it off, and I believe it will be fended off: America is very diverse, a lot of people have been jolted out of political slumber and are paying attention, and the Constitution still stands.'

Terrifying: Earlier in March, Atwood gave an interview in which she said society in the US is growing closer to the one in her book

Future? She said before, people thought Gilead couldn't happen here, but they aren't saying that anymore

She then added a piece of personal advice, saying: 'Support your leaders who are standing against unconstitutional laws; keep informed, as best as possible. Everything is "as best as possible" right now.'

Atwood also noted that the world in her books 'is closer now' than it was when the first on-screen adaptation of The Handmaid's Tale was made in 1990.

'Then, many people were saying "It can't happen here." Now, not so much...' the author said.

A new adaptation, set to air serially on Hulu in April, will star Mad Men's Elisabeth Moss and Gilmore Girls' Alexis Bledel.